Food System Stress Is Feeding Innovation and Investor Opportunities: PGIM Research

Vulnerabilities in our global food system have surfaced recently as the invasion of Ukraine, COVID-19 pandemic and climate change have disrupted the food supply — having a profound impact on food prices, monetary and fiscal policy, even political stability. However, these disturbances have also tilled the soil for much-needed innovation, and investors can play a major role in transforming the industry for the future, according to new research from PGIM, the $1.2 trillion global investment management business of Prudential Financial, Inc...

Odd Burger Signs Letter of Intent with Franchise Investment AG to Develop up to 50 Locations

Odd Burger Corporation, one of the world's first vegan fast-food chains and the first to go public, today announced that it entered into a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Franchise Investment AG and its parent venture capital division, Angelpreneur AG (collectively the "Developers") to develop up to 50 new Odd Burger restaurant locations in the State of Florida and in the combined territory of Germany, Switzerland and Austria (the region of "DACH") over a period of 8 years...

Chick-fil-A Supply Selects Missouri For New Distribution Center

Chick-fil-A Supply is opening a new market distribution center in Maryland Heights, Missouri. The company is investing $16 million in the new facility, which will be used to serve more than 40 Chick-fil-A® restaurants in the region.

"Missouri is a top location for leading national companies such as Chick-fil-A Supply thanks to our state's strategic position in the middle of America," said Governor Mike Parson. "When you combine our logistical advantages with our low taxes, loyal workforce, and cutting-edge innovation in..."

USDA Provides Nearly $24M Boost for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Chief Scientist Chavonda Jacobs-Young today announced a nearly $24 million investment across 45 organizations and institutions that teach and train beginning farmers and ranchers.

“Investing in the professional development of our nation’s newest farmers and ranchers will help our food and agriculture sectors to flourish from the ground up,” said Jacobs-Young, who is also USDA’s Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics. “Strengthening and growing our next generation pipeline is vital to the continued success of American agriculture and prosperity of..."

Use of Robots and Artificial Intelligence in Greenhouse Horticulture

Robotics and AI are not panaceas for solving labor shortages or other product-related problems. But in the next decade, robots and crop support software will take over certain tasks in the high-tech greenhouse.

Report summary
Growers will not produce more cheaply because of robotization and digitalization, but mostly differently. Managing larger, more international companies will become easier, management skills will change, and the cooperation with suppliers and customers will become closer. Pests can also be dealt with earlier, more sustainably or more precisely. The quality of the...

Cargill Launches Asia Pacific Digital Business Studio to Accelerate Food and Agriculture Innovation

Cargill’s first digital business studio in Asia expands the company’s innovation investments in the region

Cargill is partnering with the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) to launch its first digital business studio in Asia. The studio is designed to support local founders with investments that bring Cargill solutions to the market and accelerate innovation for the food and agriculture industry in Asia-Pacific.

Through this three-year partnership, Cargill will develop a portfolio of at least five new startups in Singapore. The startups will focus on pressing...

Walmart Announces Equity Investment in Sustainable Beef LLC

Walmart and Sustainable Beef LLC announced today that Walmart signed an agreement to acquire a minority stake in Sustainable Beef LLC, a rancher-owned company based in North Platte, Nebraska. Walmart’s equity investment is part of a broader strategic partnership to source top-quality angus beef from Sustainable Beef LLC’s new beef processing facility. This partnership helps supplement the current beef industry and provides additional opportunities for ranchers to increase their business. As part of the investment, Walmart will also have representation on Sustainable Beef’s board.

Walmart’s investment will help Sustainable Beef...

Tyson Foods Invests $200 Million in Amarillo Beef Plant

Facility upgrades to improve operational efficiencies and enhance team member experience

Tyson Foods announced the company will invest $200 million at its Amarillo, Texas beef plant to expand and upgrade operations and build a new team member well-being area.

The project will begin this fall and involves construction of a 143,000 square foot addition to the existing beef complex to house upgraded team member well-being areas including locker rooms, cafeteria and office space. The project will also expand and enhance the facility’s existing operations floor...

Eat Just Announces $25 Million Investment from C2 Capital

Eat Just, Inc., a company that applies cutting-edge science and technology on a mission to create healthier, more sustainable foods, today announced a $25 million investment and strategic partnership with private equity firm C2 Capital Partners (C2). C2 was established in 2018 to provide growth capital and operational support for companies to scale in China. The firm’s anchor investor is Alibaba Group.

This is C2’s first investment and partnership in the alternative protein sector and the relationship is currently supporting Eat Just’s go-to-market strategies, sales...

Cargill Grants $10 Million to World Food Program USA to Combat the World’s Growing Hunger Crisis

Cargill has made a $10 million grant to World Food Program USA in support of the United Nations World Food Programme’s response to the global hunger crisis, escalated by the collateral impact of the Ukrainian war. This generous grant, the largest donation ever made by Cargill to World Food Program USA, comes at a moment of unprecedented need as 345 million people face severe hunger and 50 million teeter on the brink of famine around the world. The grant will support the...